Beyond Physical Stamina!

The older I have gotten, the more I have begun to feel the limitations of my body. Though my walking regimen has helped me regain much of the energy and stamina I possessed in my younger years, my body still reminds me when it has had enough. I may not always sense it at the time, but the next day clues me in when I have over done it.

Through Isaiah we gain this encouragement.
“(30) Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; (31) but THEY WHO WAIT FOR THE LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” ( Isaiah 40:30-31 ESV)

Even the strength of youth has its limitation. There is still a point at which weariness comes and exhaustion sets in. Though there is the youthful drive to push the limits, a point is reached when the body says, “enough.”

This coming face to face with limitation is not only with regard to our physical capacity, but also other aspects of our life. The vigor of youth that often reveals itself physically is sometimes lacking when it comes to the things of life that may impact emotionally and spiritually. How often has peer pressure wearied and worn down until the fight is given up? How many times have Christian standards and values been mocked and ridiculed until they are finally renounced? How often has the strength of moral character been undermined, bringing about a moment of weakness wherein one caves in to the words, “No one will know.” or “If you love me…”?

We must all come to grips with the reality of our limitations. However, that recognition is not to be allowed to cause us (young or old) to give up and quit, but to realize we are not to depend merely upon our own energy and strength. As Isaiah acknowledged the reality that even youths will faint and become weary and young men will fall exhausted, his encouragement was toward looking beyond self. Rather than launching out into life relying on even the stamina of youth, there is the need to wait for the Lord and launch into life WITH HIM! With His Will under our wings we (young or old) can be provided the stamina to soar as gloriously and majestically as an eagle.

Today I cannot do the running I used to do because my knees can no longer take the pounding. However, due to my continuing exercise regimen, I walk faster and farther than I ever have. I pray that is becoming the picture of my spiritual life as well. How about you?

Paul exhorted…
“(8) for while bodily training is of some value, GODLINESS IS OF VALUE IN EVERY WAY, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” ( 1 Timothy 4:6 ESV)

Do we want to soar? Let us seek to develop and maintain SPIRITUAL STAMINA by trusting in the STRENGTH GOD PROVIDES so that in our running we do not get weary and in our walking we do not faint. May our life continually be lifted higher and higher as we recognize the BENEFITS OF GODLINESS relating to the present life and the eternal life to come.

Have a great day MAINTAINING A STRONG RESOLVE BASED ON GOD’S PROMISES!
Carl

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